The Rise of Online UX Design Bootcamps in 2021: Is It Worth Your Investment?

The rise of UX design bootcamps in 2020 has led to a wave of UX designers now working in new jobs. But is it worth it? Bootcamps teach students the skills to become a web designer, user experience designer or user interface designer by teaching design thinking, user research, wireframing, and tools like Sketch, Figma, Adobe Xd, and more. Online bootcamps offer the same courses, but with an online platform that can be accessed from anywhere.

What is a UX design bootcamp exactly?

UX design bootcamps offer a specially designed curriculum to teach aspiring designers how to succeed as UX designers. UX bootcamp programs have been created because of the boom in demand to learn UX techniques and methods. Bootcamps usually take from 3 months to 6 months, and one of the best things about these bootcamps is that you can do them online (most of the time!).

UX design bootcamps have become popular with the rise of home office during the 2020/2021 pandemic.

Bootcamps can cost between $3,000 and over $16,000. Bootcamp graduates are almost guaranteed to get a UX / UI job through the skills they learned during their studies, including design thinking, user research, wireframing tools like Sketch & Figma (and Adobe Xd), etc. Bootcamp students also learn how to participate in UX design sprints, work in a cross-functional team and present their ideas. Bootcamp programs also offer career support after graduation through mentoring or job placement.

Demand for UX designers is rising, and their starting salary can range from $50 to 70K. To learn more about the job requirements of a UX designer or how much you can expect in pay, check out our blog post here!

What are the most popular UX bootcamp out there right now?

If you're looking for a UX bootcamp, there are certainly no shortage of options. However, not all bootcamps are created equal, and it is up to the student to find one that offers high quality education at an affordable price. In the last year, many bootcamps have emerged as people learn how desirable this career path can be with its mix of artistry and analytics. While some prove helpful, others end up being little more than money-makers without much substance behind them. Last week, I discussed some of the best UX online courses (some of which are bootcamps), so check out this article!

Below you will find a list of the most popular once that has positive reviews and reputation!

Google UX Design Certificate

This course has been the most buzzing course in the last year, and has launched many UX design careers! Google's affordable professional certificate on Coursera has enrolled 600k students and costs about $49 a month, making it more accessible than typical boot camps or professional online courses that cost thousands of dollars.

Google UX Design Certificate is one of the most popular UX design bootcamps of 2020.

While there is no guarantee graduates will find a job as UX designer after completion of the course, its design is intended to connect them directly with potential employers.

The course has received mixed reviews, one of the most prominent is Google is essentially training its future employees, and the course is heavily colored by that. This can be both a good and bad thing, depending on who is doing the course and what your goals are.

But, Google is willing to offer an in-depth course for a modest fee that can get you started in a job that will provide considerable income for many years to come.

The course is a terrific way to get started in UX design, and it can be taken on top of the other courses I recommend. Students will learn both how to work with existing data and conduct research before designing solutions that make a real impact.

BrainStation

BrainStation offers a variety of courses for the digital world. From cyber security and design to marketing, data science and product development, all can be learned at one of their campuses or through an online live platform around the world! Their goal is to equip individuals with new skills so that they are prepared for this constantly changing technological age by offering diploma programs and certification courses in different areas.

BranStation's UX design bootcamp has educated UX designers for several prominent companies, including Facebook, Microsoft, and Shopify.

BrainStation has enabled more than 100,000 professionals to become innovative leaders in their own right. Working with over 400 instructors from the most influential companies across North America and around the world, Brainstation is on a mission to provide cutting-edge digital learning that empowers people and organizations alike.

Their bootcamp is a bit expensive and costs around $15,000. But if you look at the optics for salary, it's a worthwhile investment in the long run!

CareerFoundry

CareerFoundry is an online bootcamp that teaches web development, user experience design, UI design, and data analysis for career change. With offices in Berlin and around the world, CareerFoundry has been offering adaptable programs since 2013 to those looking for a fresh start or change their resume without having to wait for a full-time job that can be less lucrative in the profession. Based on its successful dual mentoring model, they train graduates either through 4 months of accelerated courses or 10-month educational plans depending on what each individual chooses, while training a student at a given time, rather than attempting to manage large groups simultaneously, as other institutions do.

One of the best things about CareerFoundry's UX Design Bootcamp is that it offers you to work with expert mentors in the UX field!

CareerFoundry has some of the best course content on offer, as 96% of their eligible alumni get a tech job within 180 days at companies including Apple and Amazon.

The bootcamp can be purchased for $6,555 of a one-time upfront payment, or at $6.900 with an upfront payment of $1,400, and then $550 over the next 10 months while you finish the course.

Will I become a real UX designer through a bootcamp?

Bootcamp is a course of instruction usually used for professional certification, skill development or personal enrichment. Bootcamps can be found in many industries and areas of study. UX bootcamps would include learning about user research, usability testing, wireframing, design thinking, interaction design foundation, and more - skills used by all UX designers.

Although bootcamps may not be as sufficient as bachelor's degrees, they are an excellent start on the path that eventually leads everywhere! Bootcamps are also an excellent choice for those who want to learn about the industry, but may not have much time to invest. Bootcamp courses can be completed in merely three months or less depending on how quickly you absorb information.

Are bootcamp programs worth the investment for UX designers?

When looking at the value of a bootcamp program, it is important to understand what your investment in yourself and your career will produce when you finish. Let's say the bootcamp costs $16,000, and in your first year as a UX designer, you make $50,000. This is a return on investment of 300%, only in the first year of employment!

Learn more about salary expectations in this article!

Bootcamps for UX Designers teach everything you need to become a pro UX designer without spending years understanding the basics for each skill set within UX Design. The bootcamp will give you all the information and knowledge you need to get an excellent starting ground as a UX designer. Bootcamps also allow you to learn how many professionals learn through trial and error, rather than through years of schooling. Bootcamps are also an excellent way to get your foot in the door with potential employers who might not accommodate someone without experience and qualifications.

Is the UX bootcamp experience worth it?

Yes, UX bootcamps are worth it.

Bootcamp-style UX courses offer short bursts of practical training - equivalent to a trade school for design - immediately applicable to entry-level positions within companies like Google or Apple. This is where more and more people start as a UX designer, and to be honest, the career of a UX designer entails significant practical learning. So getting started with a bootcamp and getting your hands dirty is the perfect way to do that!

Will a bootcamp complement my existing skills and knowledge as a UX designer?

Bootcamps are critical for professionals in the UX field to gain knowledge of the latest practices. Bootcamp gives individuals the opportunity to get hands-on experience that builds their portfolio, while also complementing existing skills and knowledge learned from a degree or certificate program.

Bootcamps provide access to tools and techniques unavailable outside formal education programs—techniques that are needed now more than ever, as digital technology permeates our lives in new ways every day.

Moving forward with UX design bootcamps

Bootcamps are an excellent way to get started in UX design, but there is a lot of contradictory information about whether they are worth the investment.

UX design bootcamps can be a terrific starting point for any career in UX design!

Bootcamps are an excellent method to gain practical UX experience and start designing, but it is important to understand what you are getting into before you enroll. Most people start their careers as designers through bootcamp courses, which can be a quick way and enjoyable!

Bootcamps are quick, practical training courses that make you immediately applicable to entry-level positions at Google or Apple. Bootcamp coursework can be completed in three months depending on how quickly you absorb information and build your portfolio - all without spending years understanding the basics of UX design for each skill set within it!

Have you finished any of the UX bootcamps mentioned in this article? Or are there other ones that interest you more than these three? Let me know! What's your favorite one and what has been your experience as a designer thus far.

Frequently Asked Questions about UX bootcamp
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Bootcamps have a return on investment?

Yes! Often they have a fantastic return on investment. Let's say the bootcamp costs $16,000, and in your first year as a UX designer, you make $50,000. This is a return on investment of 300%, only in the first year of employment!

What skills do UX design bootcamps teach you?

It depends on the UX bootcamps. But make sure it teaches you the basics, like the following:
- UX research
- UX design
- Digital prototyping tools like Sketch, Figma or Adobe Xd.
- Usability testing
- Mobile and tablet design
- Build an understanding and an interaction design foundation
- Insights from industry professionals
- Proper career coaching and how to apply your skill,s to get your dream job.

How long does a UX bootcamp take to finish?

A Bootcamp can last anywhere from a few months to 1 year.

What should I watch out for when choosing one of the UX design bootcamps?

There are some pointers to what an awesome UX design bootcamp should contain to fulfill the needs of aspiring UX designers:
- Career coaching - make sure someone will help you understand how to use your skills in real life, preferably from several industry professionals.
- Job Guarantee - Many bootcamps offer a job guarantee or other forms of career services with their courses. If you find a bootcamp that suits your needs, I would say you've hit the jackpot!
- Problem-solving skills - The job of a UX designer is to solve problems! Make sure the Bootcamp you choose focus on problem solving.
- Real world project - The best way to learn is when you can work on real world projects, or projects with a pitch from real life, as the work of a UX designer is different from all the methods you learn in a book or article!
- User Interface design - Although this is a different field, it's important to understand the work of UI designers, and how to work with them to understand the entire design process and user interface development.